The Westfield Matildas will continue their preparations for the FIFA Women’s World Cup when they play two international friendlies against Austria and Scotland on April 7 and April 9.

Football Federation Australia

The Westfield Matildas will travel to Stadion Villach Lind in Villach to take on Austria before heading to the Scottish town of Falkirk for a match against Scotland.

The squad have been undertaking an intensive training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport training centre in Italy following the recent Cyprus Cup. The matches against Austria and Scotland will mean they have played six full internationals during their time away, providing ideal preparation for the World Cup.

Head Coach Alen Stajcic stated these two hit outs will offer more invaluable game time against quality opposition as he aims to have his squad primed for their opening FIFA Women’s World Cup 2015 match against the USA on 8 June 2015.

“We’re delighted to be able to arrange these two matches at the tail end of what has been an integral and really beneficial time away in Europe as we lead up to the World Cup,” Stajcic said.

“Every hit out we get is crucial as we continue to work on the way we want to play in Canada and there is also the element of giving players the opportunity to really stake their claim to be in the squad.”

Stajcic signalled he may also look at using the hit outs to get some match fitness into the likes of Samantha Kerr, Tameka Butt and goalkeeper Lydia Williams, who are all coming back from injury and joined the squad in Italy.

The Westfield Matildas are yet to meet Austria in an international, while they have faced Scotland three times previously for a win, a draw and a loss which came at the 2014 Cyprus Cup.

FFA has also officially announced the appointments of former Socceroo Ross Aloisi and Vicki Linton as Assistant Coaches to Stajcic.

Aloisi has also assumed the Head Coach role of Australia’s U17 girls team. The former Adelaide United and Wellington Phoenix captain started his coaching career with PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues South Australia club West Adelaide before most recently fulfilling the Head of Women’s Football position at Football Federation South Australia and Head Coach of Adelaide United’s Westfield W-League team.

“The appointment of Ross and Vicki as assistants to Alen is a great step going forward not only for the Matildas but our broader women’s football strategy,” Casserly said.

“Ross had a long and distinguished playing career and has shown since he took on the head coaching role of Adelaide United’s Women’s team his ability, knowledge and skill in discovering, developing and improving the quality of talented young female footballers in this country.

“Vicki brings vast coaching experience having been around women’s football for a long time. She is ambitious and passionate about coaching and is also currently in the process of completing her Pro Licence.”

Both Aloisi and Linton are currently with the Westfield Matildas squad in Italy.

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